Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

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Cast a line on the Atlantic's oldest fishing pier

Pier fishing is a tradition along North Carolina’s coast and no spot has a longer history for anglers than the Kure Beach Fishing Pier — the oldest on the Atlantic Coast. The pier dates back to 1923 when L.C. Kure built a 120-foot-long pier made of pine. That pier did not last a year, but in 1924 he pioneered the use of reinforced concrete to build a 240-foot pier. Today, the 712-foot Kure Beach Pier is owned by L.C.’s grandson and still functions as an entertainment and meeting place for visitors and residents of Wilmington and its island beaches. One of several attractions for visitors to Kure Beach, the pier operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1 through Thanksgiving Sunday. Kure Beach is known for its great fishing, but the area also is home to dolphins and sea turtles.